The UDE is a centre for teacher training and education.

The Faculty of Educational Sciences is strongly engaged in scientific research as well as in academic teaching. Its study programmes include Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Educational Science, Social Work Studies and Physical Education, as well as Educational Sciences as a minor in teacher training.

High graduation rates - and hence low drop-out rates - testify to the high standard of teaching, particularly in the majors of Educational Science and Social Work Studies. Compared to other universities, Social Work Studies has a well above-average track record of students who complete their studies within the prescribed study period.

The Faculty comprises the Institutes of Pedagogy, Psychology, Vocational and Further Education, Social Work and Politics, and Sports Science and Kinesiology. These institutes conduct high-level empirical research and wide-ranging theoretical, systematic and historical work. In the nationwide university ranking by the Centre for Higher Education Development (CHE), the Educational Sciences and Social Work Studies teaching units occupy top positions.

Faculty members from Education and Psychology are part of the DFG Research Unit Teaching and Learning of Science, which has gained international recognition. In their research, they join colleagues from Chemistry, Physics and Biology to study topics such as learning strategies, lesson design and teaching methods. In a DFG Research Training Group they train doctoral students whose dissertations tie in with the projects of the research unit.

In Social Work Studies, a pilot project, conducted in cooperation with several Universities of Applied Sciences (Fachhochschulen) in North Rhine-Westphalia, has also attracted a great deal of attention. Top graduates from these cooperating institutions are offered the opportunity to complete their doctorate at the UDE under joint supervision by professors from the UDE and the particular University of Applied Sciences. The Hans-Böckler Foundation supports this project under the auspices of a postgraduate research group.

Teacher training at the UDE is supported by the Centre for Teacher Training (ZLB). It helps future teachers to develop professional skills, liaises with schools concerning student internships, and organises further training courses for graduate teachers.